Growing concern: Falling tree incidents draw attention to roadside hazards

Recent reports of trees falling onto passing vehicles have more people looking up as they travel. Some are changing their routes because of potential hazards.

Reports of two vehicles in Somerset County being hit in about a weeks time have prompted a rash of phone calls and emails to The Tribune-Democrat drawing attention to potentially dangerous trees.

Martha Banda is one of those who think more attention should be paid to what is growing along the areas highways.

Banda, a former Johnstown councilwoman, has been watching two trees near her home for some time. Two months ago, she and her husband, Nick, changed their route of travel.

We havent been using Von Lunen Road for two months because of fear of them falling, Banda said.

On Monday, a tree fell onto the front end of a southbound sport utility vehicle on Route 985 near Berkey Road outside Jennerstown.

That same day a man was killed in Warren County after a tree fell onto the windshield of his truck.

On June 23 two young sisters were killed when a tree fell onto the vehicle they were riding in on Route 403 in Conemaugh Township, Somerset County.

Ryleigh, 8, and Mikayla Freiwald, 6, were killed when a tree fell from a hillside on Route 403, landing on the vehicle they were riding in.

Four other passengers in that vehicle were injured, including a pregnant mother, two children and a man who was driving the 2004 Pontiac.

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Growing concern: Falling tree incidents draw attention to roadside hazards